The site follows the Dollis Brook through a narrow strip of woodland between Woodside Park and Hendon. Although these lower reaches of the Dollis Brook are less natural than its upper reaches, the river here forms a valuable green corridor through suburbia. Towards the southern end of the site, the Mutton Brook joins the Dollis Brook, and the combined brooks then become the River Brent. Footpaths follow much of the length of the site.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Lower Dollis Brook
Borough: Barnet
Grade: Borough Grade II
Access: Free public access (all/most of site)
Area: 29.35 ha
Description
Wildlife
Dollis Brook follows a more or less natural, meandering course as far downstream as Finchley Golf Course, below which is has been straightened and confined with concrete or wooden retaining walls. It is flanked along most of its length by narrow strips of woodland. This is mostly dominated by sycamore, with a wide range of other trees and shrubs, including some fine old oaks. The woodland ground layer is richest where the stream passes through Finchley Golf Course. Here, plants indicative of ancient woodland occur, such as ramsons and wood meadow-grass. Because of the shading, vegetation in the water is limited to Indian balsam and occasional clumps of yellow iris and pendulous sedge. Sticklebacks occur in the brook, and kingfishers nest in its steep clay banks. In Brent Park, the River Brent has been widened into a lake. This is fringed with alders and has a wooded island, on which tufted ducks, mallards, coots and moorhens nest.Facilities
The Dollis Valley Green walk continues to where Dollis Brook meets Mutton Brook.
The lake in Brent Park © Jim Rea
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